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So I am on Day 6 post op and will return to work on this Thursday. I am a little nervous about what I should take to make it through this second week on liquids. My first week was Clear Liquids and starting today I can progress to full liquids. That is to include my Protein Shakes, strained pureed foods, Soups,etc. I need suggestions on how others have gotten through this. Interestingly, I am not suppose to lift more than 10 lbs and am also struggling with how I am going to carry my purse, laptop case and lunch without exceeding that amount. Funny huh?! I just need help!

well i had my surgery on monday 8-18 and today is friday 8-22 and i am back to work. this was my surgery experience... i went friday for pre-op testing they did a chest x ray, ekg, bloodwork, and i met with the anesthesiolist. it took about 2 hours. i did only clear liquids till sunday night. i went to bed at 9:00 pm and was up at 5:30 to get to the hospital by 6:30. wehn i got ther they put me in a recovery room until 10 i was given a shot for nausea and 2 pills. they took me down to surgery at 10 and started an IV then i went to sleep! i woke and everyone was telling me i made it and to breathe!! i was hot and sweaty but they took off my warming blanket i also felt like crying i was told its the aneshtesia. they wheeled my up to my room and i had to PEE so i got that out of the way! then i layed in the bed for about an hour eating ice chips. i had made friends with a girl who was being banded the same day so i walked to her room and we ate popsicles. then i got some more pain meds and had to go lay down! they came and got me for the barium swallow (tastes nasty) then i layed down until my doc could come visit! i left the hospital at 5:30. the drive home made me VERY nausous and when i got home i took 2 gas x's and went straight to sleep. i woke up at nine and think i had a PB. i was having pain in my chest so i leaned over the sink afraid i was going to vomit but i burped really loud and leaned over again and thought i was going to burp again but it was liquid and the shell of the gas x. it didnt hurt and wasnt like a vomit. i am still sore and eating only broth, protein drinks, jello and water. still taking the gas x. my incisions look good no drainage or bleeding. i have been sleeping on my back and a little on my side. i have been weening myself off the pain meds but i am sure i will finish the bottle i was given. i am so grateful i have been banded and i am glad to say i havent been too hungry. this morning my tummy was growling but i drank a shake and it is satisfied! so thats how it went! 325/318/175 i wont weigh until 9-9 so i dont know what i really weigh!

Jeanne, I can only speak to my experience on a slipped band. I've heard some people have no idea their band slipped. But for me it was like swallowing razor blades. I couldn't swallow anything, not even my spit. It hurt all the time in my stomach area, deep in, not the port area. I was nauseous all the time, not hungry at all, weak. I was on an IV so I wasn't eating much besides a few bites of Jello. It is my understanding that being too restricted can feel very similar. I'd really encourage you to stay hydrated, sip as much Water as you can. Whatever the problem, being dehydrate can make things much worse. Call you Doctor right away. They can do a fluoroscope and see if you have a slipped band. There is no need to suffer wondering what is wrong. I've also read that you can get more restriction even 7-10 days after a fill, so may that is what you are experiencing. Keep us posted, I know how scary it can be.

I had my 2nd fill Thursday. The nurse practioner pulled all my saline out to check how much was in there, before filling me. Apparently my doctor had filled my band right after he put in in me. My 1st fill he put 3 cc's in. She drew out 6 cc's of fluid. She said it was a good thing that she checked, because she would have over-filled me. I only got .08. My band is a 10. Between fill number 1 and number 2 (2 weeks) I lost 5 pounds. They said that was great! But it felt low to me after losing so much initially. But average is 1-2 pounds a week, so I guess I did OK. :eek: I am still not sure where my sweet spot is, but I feel pretty good after 2 fills. Since Thursday I have lost 2- 1/2 more pounds. Maybe I am on my way!!!:thumbup:

When will day 10 get here so I can break open this can of Tuna. I was fine for the first few days, now a sista is hungry. I am in my room listening to music, reading books, pacing back in forth, going to sleep waking up, doing whatever i can to get my mind off of this. I wasn't hungry for the first couple of days, now I am hungry. I think I will get me a bottled water and shake some crystal light in there. I am trying my bestest, because I want to make sure I am doing everything correctly. It's a mental thing, I just need to focus focus focus.

Thanks, everyone. It's funny how surgeons are so different with their approaches to the band. I had my first fill on 9/4 (4 ccs), then another on 9/18 (2.5 ccs), and my most recent on 10/2 (1 cc). My doctor didn't want to wait longer in between the fills because I've been so hungry. I'm hoping that this fill on Wednesday got me closer to where I need to be. Today is my first day back on solids after the fill. I hope to be satiated longer now. I have another appointment in 2 weeks, which will be the last appointment covered under my global surgery coverage. All appointments since my surgery in July have been covered 100%. I'll have to start paying my co-pay for the visits going forward. After the initial 3 months post-op, how often do you see your surgeon?

I think its VERY important and I place getting a wide variety of vegetables particularly and some fruit way way above Protein. I think most people that are eating 1200 to 1500 are going to get enough protein with normal eating patterns, I simply dont hold with the theory that you need like a gram per pound. I lost all my weight on a normal protein intake of around 50 to 60 grams a day, I did not lose muscle, I'm not flabby and "skinny fat", I have a good healthy body composition with 23% body fat. I did not need to do shakes or eat protein first to do that (its not what we're advised to do in Australia). I focus more on fruit and vegetables and whole grains. For a while I've not eaten a lot of grain food, barely ever eat bread, and I've had quite severe bowel problems as a result, despite my high intake of fruit and veg. I added some bread and good cereals back in and the bulk it provided has fixed my problems - fibre on its own isnt enough, you need bulk. I truly do not believe a diet focussed on protein is a healthy one. With limited stomach capacity, you simply will not get enough fruit and vegies and you do need some grainy foods too. I wouldnt buy a juicer but rather a super duper powerful blender that will crush the pulp so that its drinkable, that way you're not removing half the good stuff from your fruit or vegies. I have a vitamix blender, I start most days with a "juice" of one or two fruits (not entire pieces, just a chunk), Water and a green such as spinach to make a green smoothie - its not delicious by a long shot but drinkable in a small glass. I usually follow that a bit later on with a serve of a good Cereal. At morning tea time I usually ahve cut up raw vegies - carrot, cucumber, red capsicum, snow peas, whatever I have on hand, about a cups worth (it crunches down to very little in your stomach). lunch is VERY often soup, always home made and vegetable based, I snack on things like pumpkin seeds (10 grams protein per half cup, lots of fibre and good fats) and dinner is usually a meat based meal. I dont eat a lot in volume, but I've done really well on this sort of diet and it suits my body/metabolism. I know it goes against popular opinion, and I know there's compelling reasons to eat lots of protein but in reality diets like Atkins or other high protein low carb plans are meant to be eaten with huge quantities of vegetables, particularly green non starchy ones. You cant do that with a sleeve or band, and you end up eating a very unbalanced diet that includes lots of protein (and often from rather questionable sources such as too many shakes) and nowhere near enough of other nutrients.

My doctor told me walking only, 30 minutes a day. If you cant do the 30 all at once, split it up into 3 10 minute sessions. I would advise against working out. I had initially asked my Doctor if I could go back to work after 3 weeks, and it was stressed to me that the chances of pulling the staples/sutures is rather high if you participate in regular work or exercis aside from walking, which can end up with you back in the hospital.

Surgery on 3/19 8:30 am Nauseated with dry heaves all day and night 3/20 much better. Peed on my own, walked a lot and drank small sips of Water and broth and released but did need pain meds 3/21 woke up with really tight back muscles, worst pain so far. Started farting this morning :-) Gas hasn't been bad as its coming out. So far so good. Keep the prayers coming. For those on the fence about surgery, I cried and almost left the hospital numerous times but just kept going through the motions... And, nothing has been as bad as I have imagined. I have a great surgeon... Still worried about leaks and clots, but I'm a hypochondriac! Can't wait until I feel I'll really be "okay" and start looking forward to my goals. :-) Best of luck to you! :-)

Good morning fellow bandsters... I had my 2nd fill on yesterday, what and experience.. I guess everyone is different, a little sore this morning. But I'll survive.. But the scariest thing happened this morning, I went to take my vitamins as I always do, and OMG... one got stuck... I was panicing and I almost started crying because of the uncomfortable feeling.... LOL now that it is over.. I guess I'll be going back to chewables, it's not a hard pill it's a capsule but it's medium size.. I do realize that once I start back eating solid foods I will be chewing for long periods of time... because if a pill can get stuck... I don't even want to think of any food... I do not like that feeling. .. Maybe I'll loosen up in a couple of days.. I am able to drink without a probelm, but it hasn't been 24 hrs yet so we'll see... I was just scared there for a minute... Just need to vent a little. Banded 04/15/09 First fill 2.5 cc 06/15/09 Second fill 2.5 cc 08/10/09.

You took the words right out of my mouth! I feel the same!! Day 4 and feeling very blah, I can't believe I still have 10 days left like this!!

I was sleeved 9/19 as well- went in at 234, was 223 yesterday. Happy with it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had two insurance/doctor office screw-ups/delays, but barring those, 10 months initial information session to surgery with all the BS appointments, CPAP stuff, lab work done, NUT appointments, surgeon appointments, psych eval.

I had surgery just 3 days after you on 8/20/10 and I have had several days in a row now where I feel the same as you. I am getting a solid 8-9 hours a night yet all I want to do is sleep.Yesterday and today I have forced myself not to take any naps, and forced myself to do housework and run some errands. It is like pushing a truck uphill to even get up the oomphf to cook my family some dinner. I am no where near the same calorie intake as you though so part of my desire for nothing but sleep might be the low calorie part. I am also at the "dreaded stall" as well. I think my body is finally catching up to what I did to it 3 weeks ago and is rebelling. It will work itself out eventually, I just want it to be sooner rather than later.

Thank you so much for understanding everybody!! I am getting ready start the travel journey that will take me home for surgery and journey it is; four planes, maybe a helicopter, buses, and four days straight of travel. Once I get there I am going to fall into my Mother's arms, take a deep breath, and focus on getting myself into the right mental, emotional, and psychological space to prepare for this leap for which I have assiduously prepared. Total weight I hope to drop from surgery to goal, 160 pounds, but I think that first 10 pounds is going to mean a whole lot.

I had mine done in TN on 10/21. Excellent surgeon and staff at the hospital. Good luck!

Greeting from Idaho! I was banded 7/30/09. Prior to the pre-op diet I was on an insulin pump at a basilar rate of 3.9 U/hr and my sensitivity to insulin was 1 Unit would lower my BG ONLY 6 mg%. After the pre-op diet, I was down to 1 U/hr basal and 1 U would lower my BG about 12 mg%. Now after the clear liquid week, my basal rate is 0.6 U/hr and sensitivity is 1 U = decrease 18 mg%. In other words, my insulin resistance is way down and I really hope that the day comes (soon?) that I can gift the pump to someone that can use it. Diabetes has improved with only a 10% BW reduction. Hope that HTN will improve eventually. Best wishes on your battle with your person dragon. Mine is curled in the corner waiting to win again when my willpower weakens. Hope the battle can wait the 3 months that my surgeon wants to wait before the first fill. (I have a 14 cc band and it had 3 cc's in it to start.) HW 310/SW 285/ CW 275/ GW 175

1. Momto1plus1.......241...............238..............229...........9 2. TxArcher...........360........Last week, 357......???...........12 3. Hungryforchange...227.5..........225...............215.5.......10 4 shortgal ............. 198............195................192...........3 5. Hollyberries.........298............293................285........... 8 6. Tyman311..........167...........168................150............17 7. Trixie.................264...............255..............244......... .11 8. plump_princess.....237.............233..............227........... 6 9. Foofy ................249............244...............237............7 10. wnt2lose..........236............233.8...........225.............8.8 11. BarbBee...........284.............278.............272..............6 Woo hoo!!! We are doing it!!!! Keep up the great work!

I am here and doing GREAT!!! 1. Momto1plus1.......241...............238..............229...........9 2. TxArcher...........360........Last week, 357......???...........12 3. Hungryforchange...227.5..........225...............215.5.......10 4 shortgal ............. 198............195................192...........3 5. Hollyberries.........298............293................285........... 8 6. Tyman311..........167...........168................150............17 7. Trixie.................264...............255..............244......... .11 8. plump_princess.....237.............233..............227........... 6 9. Foofy ................249............244...............237............7 10. wnt2lose..........236............233.8...........225.............8.8 11. BarbBee...........284.............278.............272..............6 12. Longhorn..........211.............209.............199.............10 13. Steph...............203.5..........197..............188.5.........8.5 14. Kristin1031........256.............249..............240............9 I am so proud of myself I did 5 miles this morning on the bike at the club! Was the first time I attempted the bike and I did it in 30 minutes....I was so proud of myself. The last 10 minutes was excrutiating but I made it.....and hoped on the scale this am and was down another 2 pounds......it is coming off and I am thrilled........10 more pounds and I will be under 100 pounds to lose.....YIPPEE!!!! Congratulations everyone on our wonderful success! We are all awesome....

I was excited when I found out that I could have SlimFast because it is a shake that I can tolerate. I have not tried any other shakes. I guess I need to venture out, but I'll do it another time I am just trying to stay focused. I was told that my shake had to be no more that 220 calories and no more than 10 gr of fat. So that put a limit on my shake issue.

That's great!!! I'm down 10 lbs since monday Sent from my SM-G900W8 using the BariatricPal App

I am 8 days out of surgery. I have lost about 10 pounds. However I did not lose any weight from yesterday to today。

BMI was 38.5 about 2 months ago when I first saw Dr. Spivak, but having just finished a cruise, I have gained 5 pounds and would have about 10 to go. I hate feeling this additional weight already and gaining more would put me at the highest weight I have ever been. Not sure what to do.

2-10-09 Did I really just do that? Did I really just buy a size 16? Does it matter they are stretchy? Does it matter they are from Wal-mart? Does it matter that they are a little snug? Does it matter that I feel like I will be able to wear these forever? I can’t imagine ever growing out of (or shrinking out of) these. I started out a size 24. I dug out my old size 18 and that was the smallest jeans I’ve had. I wore a size 16 about 9 years ago for just a little bit. I haven’t worn anything smaller than that since high school. I want to do a happy dance, but I’m still saving that for onederland! I love my band! :thumbup: